The Philadelphia Flyers today announced that they have signed center Keith Primeau to a new four-year contract.
TSN has learned that Primeau will earn $4.5 million in each of the first two
years of the contract, and $4 million in each of the final two years, for a total of $17 million. That stands as a paycut
for Primeau, who made $5 million last season.
Primeau's agent, Don Reynolds, said his client opted for long-term security
instead of gambling on the free agent market this summer.
"Four years (contract length) is unusual from the
club's standpoint and that was a key factor in Keith's decision to stay there and not enter the open market," Reynolds told
the Canadian Press. "Also, he has got good roots in the community."
"For our organization, it will be the biggest and most important signing we
have this summer," said general manager Bob Clarke. "Primeau is the player that we built this team around and will continue
to do so. He's the leader of the group.
"Now that we have signed Keith it means that we can start filling in the other
places. I don't think you have any chance of being good without top leadership and Keith is a great leader on this club. The
players that are around him respond to Keith. His on-ice performance was obviously above anybody else in the playoffs. Had
we made it to the Stanley Cup Finals he would probably have won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs."
"Excited is the very first word that comes to mind," said Primeau. "I knew
that making a deal wouldn't be difficult. They are always very receptive here as an organization. I said at the end of the
season that this is where I wanted to be and I'm comfortable in the decision that I've made. I'm pleased to be back and excited
for next season."
Primeau, 32, recorded seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points and 80 penalty minutes in 54
regular season games this past season for the Flyers. In the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he registered nine goals and seven
assists for 16 points and 22 penalty minutes in 18 games. He led the Flyers in goals and points during the playoffs.
In five seasons with the Flyers, Primeau has registered 86 goals and 120 assists
for 206 points and 408 penalty minutes in 303 games. He was named the 13th captain in Flyers history on October 23, 2001.
Primeau was acquired by the Flyers, along with a fifth round pick in the 2000
NHL Entry Draft, from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Rod Brind'Amour, Jean-Marc Pelletier and a second round pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft on January 23, 2000.
In 14 career seasons in the NHL (1990-91 through 2003-04) with the Detroit
Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina and the Flyers, Primeau has recorded 265 goals and 347 assists for 612 points and 1,535
penalty minutes in 900 regular season games.
